COVID-19 Ottawa:
There are 27 new confirmed, COVID-19 cases in Ottawa Friday.
Nearing the end of a week that saw a large spike in cases, the city sits at a total of 2,361 cases since the start of the pandemic, with 215 active cases. The city’s patient recovery rate has dropped slightly below 80 per cent.
No new deaths have been reported in the last month, as that number remains at 263.
COVID-19 Ontario:
Ontario is reporting 195 new cases and three new deaths related to the novel coronavirus Friday.
The total number of cases now stands at 38,405, which includes 2,758 deaths and 34,100 resolved cases. There were 137 more resolved cases reported Friday.
Tam Urges Young People To Follow COVID Guidelines and Restrictions:
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam is warning young people to wear masks and maintain physical distancing this weekend.
Data shows people in the 20 to 39-age group are to blame for rising COVID-19 infections in the past two weeks.
Rally In Solidarity With Striking Inmates:
Supporters of inmates at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre holding a hunger strike to protest conditions inside staged a rally outside the facility Friday morning.
70 inmates are holding their second hunger strike in less than two months. The first one last month led to an agreement between prisoners and staff that there would be healthier food, hygiene products and increased access to reading materials and television. Inmates say that has not happened yet.
Fuel Spill in Ottawa River:
Ottawa Fire Hazmat Crews spent part of Friday morning containing a fuel spill in the Ottawa River.
Crews detected an odor of gasoline after responding to a call near Ogilvie Road just before 9:00 am Friday. They deployed booms to contain the spill, and are now working to determine its source.
Northwestern First Nations Keeping Pandemic Precautions In Place:
First Nations leaders in Northwestern Ontario are keeping most of their pandemic restrictions in place, even as the rest of the province eases restrictions.
Many First Nations in Ontario and across the country enacted their own border restrictions, setting up checkpoints and prohibiting visitors, in response to the pandemic. Many communities feared a positive case could lead to an outbreak that had the potential to spread quickly because of overcrowded homes and the lack of infrastructure and resources required to contain the virus.
OCDSB Releases 2020-2021 School Year Calendar:
We expect to learn more next week about the Ontario Government’s back to school plan, but we now know when classes will start for students with the Ottawa Carleton District School Board.
The public board has released its 2020-2021 school calendar, with September 3 set as the first day of class. Trustees with the OCDSB have voted in favor of a full-time return to in-class learning for students this year.